BSN? ABSN? RN? Confused as to what I need, please help

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Hello All,

I am currently researching what I need to do in order to become a Nurse Practitioner and already confused as to what is a right track for me. Here is my Bio :

30y.o., reside in NYC, Bachelor's of Business Administration from accredited university, undergrad GPA is 2.59... In my college courses completed college English and Math reqs, as well as Statistics I and II. No Science classes at all.

What would be the best and most effiient way to get into the RIGHT nursing program for me? I am very much confused between BSN, RN, LPN and all other nusing acronyms..

Please HELP!

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Hi - well first of all, each person is probably going to give you a different opinion :)

I am in a similar situation - I have a bachelors in engineering and want to be an NP.

My path is: I've spent the last 2 years taking my prerequisites and this month I apply to a 3-year direct entry program. After 15 months it gives me a BSRN and then after two more years I have my masters.

However, other people will probably tell you other pathways you could pursue. I think the only way to really know is to research, research, research and read as much as you can.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

There are many different pathways to reach your goal. If you know the general geographic region in which you want to go to school, talk with those schools directly to find out which options they have to offer. Then choose the one that is best for you.

Much of your confusion stems from the fact that an "RN" stands for "Registered Nurse." It just means that the person has a license to practice nursing at the level described in that state's Nurse Practice Act. Many different types of programs qualify an individual to take the exam required for licensure. With the current nursing shortage and a financial climate in which schools receive money for experimenting with new types of educational programs, there has been a recent proliferation of new programs and of different types of programs geared for different types of students who may have different preferences in how they go to school.

Also note that "RN" does not specify a specific level of education -- only that the education be at a certain minimal level or above. For example, I know of some programs that can be completed by a student in about 18 months post high school graduation. After passing the NCLEX-RN exam, they are RN's -- the same as I am with my 11 years of higher education post high school and a PhD in nursing.

As I said -- there are lots of options out there, depending on exactly where you live and/or where you want to go to school.

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Hi - well first of all, each person is probably going to give you a different opinion :)

I am in a similar situation - I have a bachelors in engineering and want to be an NP.

My path is: I've spent the last 2 years taking my prerequisites and this month I apply to a 3-year direct entry program. After 15 months it gives me a BSRN and then after two more years I have my masters.

However, other people will probably tell you other pathways you could pursue. I think the only way to really know is to research, research, research and read as much as you can.

Good luck!

Thank you for your response - may I ask why is it taking for you that long to finish pre-reqs? I was hoping to finish all in 1 year. Looks like the path you have takne IS the shortest one!

Good luck!

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may I ask why is it taking for you that long to finish pre-reqs? I was hoping to finish all in 1 year. Looks like the path you have takne IS the shortest one!

Good luck!

I only had 7 courses to take, so yes, I could have done it in only one year, but due to the ages of my children I chose to spread it out. I have also taken additional courses for my own enjoyment.

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Also note that "RN" does not specify a specific level of education -- only that the education be at a certain minimal level or above. For example, I know of some programs that can be completed by a student in about 18 months post high school graduation. After passing the NCLEX-RN exam, they are RN's -- the same as I am with my 11 years of higher education post high school and a PhD in nursing.

As I said -- there are lots of options out there, depending on exactly where you live and/or where you want to go to school.

Thanks for the explanation! I am very much confused about acronyms, now will know better than that.

I want to go to school in NYC, so exploring =NYU and Hunter at the moment

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I got interupted while writing my previous post ...

Finally, note that being a Nurse Practitioner requires at least a Master's Degree at the moment and may require a doctoral degree in the future. So, you'll need to take that into consideration as you choose which program is right for you.

For example:

If you choose to start your nuring career with an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN), you will have to return to school later for a Bachelor's Degree (BSN) and Master's Degree (MSN) later. That route is probably the longest route to becoming a Nurse Practitioner. However, it offers you a chance to become competent as a nurse before making the committment to invest in graduate education. Th You can graduate with an ADN in just a couple of years and then get a job as a nurse, solidifying your nursing skills, seeing if you really like it or not, and getting financial assistance from your employer to go back to school for the additional education you want. So ... longer time overall, but worth it for some people.

If you choose to start with a BSN, it will take longer and may be more expensive up front. However, you can work as a nurse and get financial help from your employer as you go back to school for your MSN or DNP to become eligible to take the Nurse Practitioner exam.

You could start your nursing career in one of the newer programs that start you out with a Master's Degree. That would probably take the longest before you can qualify to get a job as a nurse and get the nursing experience and financial support from an employer -- but it would probably be the fasterst route to the Nurse Practitioner level overall. You would probably be a Nurse Practitioner sooner, but you would be starting your nursing career more deeply in debt and without the benefit of having a couple of years of basic entry-level nursing experience behind you.

So ... as others have said ... different people find that different programs work best for them.

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llg - thank you for your post - lots of helpful info. After reading this form for a few days I came to realization that I don't really have much of a chance to get into nursing programs at all :( My Undergrad gpa is 2.59 and people say that even if I A's ALL pre-reqs, I still have a very slim chance to get in. Now I am reading that some schools don't look at your GPA , but look at NLN exam scores. But those are mostly for ADN programs, not BSN.

I am still hoping for some encouragement and will make few advising appointments and to be honest I feel very down at the moment....

I always wanted to be a nurse, but at the time I was getting into college I was convinvced to get a business degree. Now I feel like I ws heating myself geting a degree in business and working in busines world, where I dont fel that I belong.

I spent lots of time in hospitals with my friend, on BMT floor and I even volunteered at ER, and that only proved that I want to be a nurse. BUt now loks like all odds are against me :(

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

I am a career changer, too. I have given some thought to becoming an NP, a Clinical Nurse Specialist, or perhaps a CRNA. On the other hand, I also need to earn some money. The local CRNA program requires 2 years (I think -- perhaps it's only 1 year, though) of critical care experience. I'm also concerned that, as a graduate of a direct-entry NP program, I might have difficulty competing for jobs with other new NPs who come with years of bedside experience.

Given all of that, the path that I've chosen is to pursue a Direct Entry MSN in a Clinical Nurse Leader. It's an 18-month program after which I intend to work in a critical care environment for a few years to really learn to be a nurse. Once I feel I've got sufficient experience to be an outstanding NP, Clnical Nurse Specialist, or CRNA (and have save some money), I'll decide which route I really want to pursue (if any) and then go from there.

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Given all of that, the path that I've chosen is to pursue a Direct Entry MSN in a Clinical Nurse Leader. It's an 18-month program after which I intend to work in a critical care environment for a few years to really learn to be a nurse. Once I feel I've got sufficient experience to be an outstanding NP, Clnical Nurse Specialist, or CRNA (and have save some money), I'll decide which route I really want to pursue (if any) and then go from there.

What is your degree in and what was your GPA? Are you taking prereqs right now?

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
I am a career changer, too. I have given some thought to becoming an NP, a Clinical Nurse Specialist, or perhaps a CRNA. On the other hand, I also need to earn some money. The local CRNA program requires 2 years (I think -- perhaps it's only 1 year, though) of critical care experience. I'm also concerned that, as a graduate of a direct-entry NP program, I might have difficulty competing for jobs with other new NPs who come with years of bedside experience.

Given all of that, the path that I've chosen is to pursue a Direct Entry MSN in a Clinical Nurse Leader. It's an 18-month program after which I intend to work in a critical care environment for a few years to really learn to be a nurse. Once I feel I've got sufficient experience to be an outstanding NP, Clnical Nurse Specialist, or CRNA (and have save some money), I'll decide which route I really want to pursue (if any) and then go from there.

That sounds like a good plan to me. I wish you the best of luck with it.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

Don't give up. I am in my 3rd semester at a community college taking my prereqs. I graduated from U of M and transferred my classes to the community college. They did not care about my GPA at all. I have gotten all A's at the new college so my GPA is a 4.0. (they don't start off with your previous GPA) Can you take some prereqs at a community college and just be sure they transfer to the university you prefer? My plan is to get my associates, take the state exam to become an RN and then pursue my bachelors after I have a job in a hospital and the hospital can pay for it.

Don't give up on your dream. It is possible. When I first started college, I bought a keychain that says "do or do not. there is no try" That is my motivation that I WILL become a nurse - there is no other option.

Good luck!!

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